Research Frontiers SPD-Smart Electronic Aircraft Window Shades: They're Fast, They're Dark And They're Here!

Research Frontiers SPD-Smart Electronic Aircraft Window Shades: They're Fast,
They're Dark And They're Here!

SPD-Smart Dimmable Windows Provide Unprecedented Level of Darkness, Fast
Switching Speed, Heat-Blocking and Other Benefits Demanded By Aircraft OEMs
and Their Customers

WOODBURY, N.Y., July 9, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Research Frontiers Inc.
(Nasdaq:REFR), the developer of SPD-Smart light-control technology, marks
today's opening of the 2012 Farnborough International Airshow by announcing
the availability of new SPD-Smart electronically dimmable aircraft windows
with an unprecedented combination of instant switching speed, and light-,
noise- and heat-blocking capabilities.

Aircraft began to fly using SPD-Smart technology 11 years ago and are still in
service, and during that time Research Frontiers and its licensees have
developed and introduced several generations of dimmable windows. Each new
product evolved to satisfy the demands of aircraft OEMs and their customers.
The latest generation provides the aircraft industry's only complete solution
to managing in real-time the environmental challenges that outside conditions
inflict on the cabin interior and passengers including light, glare, heat and
noise.

Level of darkness: Solar radiation onboard aircraft is extreme, and requires a
dimmable window that creates an environment dark enough for passengers to
sleep, even during daylight hours. Research Frontiers licensees now offer
SPD-Smart windows that can be set to block over 99.96% of incoming light –
achieving cabin blackout conditions whenever desired – to meet the needs of
OEMs and their customers.

Switching speed: Whenever a passenger wants relief from glare, SPD-Smart
aircraft windows offer immediate response. Due to instant switching, an
infinite number of light-transmission states can be selected by the passenger
or flight crew, from clear to blackout, and any level of view-preserving tint
in between.

A demonstration of the level of darkness and switching speed of SPD-Smart
aircraft windows can be viewed in this video: http://tinyurl.com/7vll2ok

Heat-blocking: Aircraft cabins can become hot when the aircraft is parked
because of solar heat streaming through windows. The result is an
uncomfortably warm cabin upon boarding or the need to use jet fuel or
auxiliary power units before boarding to cool down the cabin. SPD-Smart
aircraft windows automatically switch to their maximum heat-blocking state,
even when the aircraft is parked unpowered, and the cabin remains cool.
Thermal insulation is important in automobiles as well, and Daimler has
published data on its "Magic Sky Control" sunroof which uses SPD-SmartGlass
technology on their new Mercedes-Benz SLK and SL models. Daimler's independent
tests show that 95% of incoming heat is rejected by their Magic Sky Control
sunroof. This creates an 18ºF (10ºC) reduction in cabin temperature compared
to conventional tinted glass, without using any energy to cool the vehicle.

Other performance benefits: Additional challenges stated by OEMs and their
customers that have been successfully met by SPD-Smart dimmable aircraft
windows include:

+ Noise-blocking: the ability to reduce the amount of noise transmitted
through windows
+ Curved shapes: the ability to offer curved windows to meet interior design
needs
+ Weight-reduction: the ability to fabricate dimmable windows using
lightweight plastics
+ FAA certification: the ability to demonstrate full compliance with all FAA
requirements

Joseph M. Harary, President and CEO of Research Frontiers, noted: "Research
Frontiers and our licensees have responded to the needs of OEMs and their
customers with a new generation of electronically-dimmable window shades for
aircraft that have the highest performing combination of benefits in the
industry. With the touch of a button, SPD-Smart aircraft windows can be
adjusted by passengers and flight crews to achieve complete darkening of the
cabin. The products our licensees offer provide a level of darkness that
is unachievable by the electrochromic (EC) dimmable windows currently used on
the Boeing 787 and Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350i aircraft models. In
addition, SPD-Smart windows give passengers precise tunability anywhere from
clear to dark, and because the change is instant, they feel immediate relief
from glare or heat. This level of control, and this immediate response to
passenger needs, are not available in the electrochromic technology currently
in use - those dimmable windows actually require a minute or two to switch,
and only offer a very few limited pre-set levels of light control. We invite
aircraft manufacturers and their customers to compare the SPD-Smart windows
offered by our licensees to existing electrochromic and other window shades.
The difference will be instantly apparent."

SPD-Smart dimmable aircraft windows are now on 30 in-service models of
aircraft, from business aircraft and helicopters to every Airbus A380 in
Qantas Airway's fleet delivered since their first A380 delivery in 2008. They
have also been publicly demonstrated at all of the major aircraft industry
trade shows by Research Frontiers licensees and by OEMs including Honda
Aircraft Company (HondaJet), Bombardier (CSeries) and Hawker Beechcraft
(Hawker 400XPr).

To learn more about SPD-Smart aircraft windows, and to be introduced to
licensees of Research Frontiers, please contact:

Michael LaPointe
Vice President – Marketing
Research Frontiers Inc.
1-516-364-1902
Info@SmartGlass.com

About Research Frontiers Inc.

Research Frontiers Inc. is the developer of SPD-Smart light-control technology
which allows users to instantly, precisely and uniformly control the shading
of glass or plastic, either manually or automatically. Having invested over
$85 million to date to develop its technology, the Company has been granted
288 patents for its SPD technology and has pending patent applications that,
if granted, would add approximately 250 additional patents. Research Frontiers
has built an infrastructure of 39  licensed companies that collectively are
capable of serving the growing global demand for smart glass products in
automobiles, homes, buildings, aircraft and boats.

Note: From time to time Research Frontiers may issue forward-looking
statements which involve risks and uncertainties. This press release contains
forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ and are not
guaranteed. Any forward-looking statements should be considered accordingly.
"SPD-Smart", "SmartGlass" and "SPD-SmartGlass" are trademarks of Research
Frontiers Inc. "Magic Sky Control" and "Mercedes-Benz" are trademarks of
Daimler AG.

The Research Frontiers Incorporated logo is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6935

company logo